We sat down with the team at Abby Sparks Jewelry to learn more about caring for our jewelry properly and when we should leave the ring at home!
As a custom jeweler who has helped hundreds of couples get engaged, we have heard
too many engagement ring breakage horror stories to count. Because of this, we make
our rings super durable. However, the quality of the materials and stones used in your
engagement ring only account for half of its durability. What most people don’t know is
that regular care is a huge factor when it comes to how long your engagement ring
lasts.
Leaving your ring at home in these situations will save you time, money, and headaches
from getting your engagement ring repaired or replaced.
1. Any form of exercise at any intensity level.
An object in motion stays in motion…and has a higher chance of running in to hard
surfaces. This means rock climbing, skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking,
snowboarding, ice skating, mountain or road biking, pilates, contact sports, practicing
yoga, or going for a jog are off limits.
2. Showering or bathing.
Water and hot temperatures can be risky for certain metals and gemstones.
3. Applying any topicals
Like lotion, SPF, oils, makeup, hair products, and perfumes. Not only can they
make your stones look cloudy, but some lotions have chemicals that are damaging to
jewelry.
4. Cooking or baking.
Again, lots of hard surfaces involved here. Hitting your jewelry against pots and
pans is a recipe for disaster.
5. Washing the dishes,
Washing the car, or washing the dog, especially with harsh cleaning agents and
chemicals. You may have started to notice a trend here, using harsh chemicals can be
ultra damaging to your ring.
6. Swimming.
That includes hot tubbing, steaming, and saunas. The temperature and pressure
changes can cause the ring to slip off your finger and temperature and chemical
changes can damage softer stones.
7. Crafting of any type:
Painting, ceramics, gardening, and other equally messy hobbies. These materials
can get stuck in the tiny crevices in your ring and are very difficult to remove without
professional help.
8. Certain 9-5’s.
If you use your hands a lot for your work or are constantly washing your hands, it
may be best to leave your jewelry at home. Examples include delivery drivers, nurses,
surgeons, fly fishing guides, construction workers, artists, chefs, etc.
9. The Beach.
Cold water = shrinkage-induced roominess around your ring. The middle of the
ocean is definitely not the place to lose your ring. You also risk sand scratching your
metal and sunscreen clouding up your stones. Also, sharks are attracted to shiny
sparkly things (ahem, diamonds).
10. High Elevation.
High elevation levels cause our fingers to swell and with a certain degree of
swelling, the risk of nerve damage exists. Better to take your ring off and slip it on the
chain of a necklace you’re already wearing when you’re at high levels of elevation. Once
you’re back to normal levels, pop your ring back on your finger.
Moral of the story: If you want to be able to pass on your engagement ring to future
generations, keep these tips in mind the next time you decide to take that HIIT class.
After being frustrated by the traditional jewelry industry, Abby Sparks created the anti-jewelry store,
where there’s nothing to buy, only things to make. She helps those who know nothing about jewelry
become diamond and gemstone experts with honest jewelry advice and tips on her blog .
